16 March 2020, Kuala Lumpur - This year, WWF-Malaysia celebrates Earth Hour with a special focus on saving Malaysia’s iconic symbol, the critically endangered Malayan tiger. Everyone is invited to view the origami tiger exhibition at Pavilion KL from 13 to 29 March, and pledge to help save Malayan tigers at wwf.org.my/EarthHour

The number of tigers in Malaysia have drastically been reduced to less than 200, an alarming decline from an estimated 3,000 that roamed our jungles in the 1950s. Within WWF- Malaysia’s priority site of Belum-Temengor, the population of tigers have declined by about fifty percent in just the past ten years.

Tiger conservation continues to face challenges across the country’s tropical forest landscape. Poaching remains the greatest and most urgent threat to tigers in Malaysia, followed by loss of habitat and fragmentation of forests. If these threats continue to exist, Malaysia stands to lose its iconic symbol to extinction in the next couple of years.

From 13 to 29 March at the Centre Court of Pavilion KL, 1,000 origami tigers made from waste paper will be on display, symbolically representing the number of tigers which existed in our forests just a few decades ago. Of this, only 200 tigers will be coloured, representing the number of tigers that remain.

“WWF-Malaysia sincerely thanks our Earth Hour corporate sponsor Pavilion KL for their valuable support of our tiger conservation efforts. We also thank the students and lecturers of INTI International College Subang who folded the 1,000 origami tigers on display. By protecting tigers, we are protecting much more than just a species. We are safeguarding the quality of our own lives, and the quality of the lives of future generations.

As an apex predator, Malayan tigers keep populations of prey species in check, which in turn maintains the balance in the ecosystem. Their habitat is natural forest, which humans rely on. As the effects of climate change are becoming more apparent, natural forests are our best bet to increase our resilience - they provide fresh water, clean air and regulate the climate to limit extreme weather patterns, such as droughts and storms.

With less than 200 Malayan tigers left, it really is now or never. As we countdown to Earth Hour, #Connect2Earth and raise your voice for nature by pledging to save our Malayan tigers at wwf.org.my/EarthHour,” said Ms. Sophia Lim, WWF-Malaysia Executive Director / CEO.

“We are proud to collaborate with WWF-Malaysia to support the ‘Save the Malayan Tiger’ campaign, as part of Pavilion KL’s unwavering commitment to corporate social responsibility. As Malaysia’s premier shopping destination, it is important we provide a platform and support important causes whilst enhancing the engagement with the community.” said Ms. Kung Suan Ai, Director of Marketing, Pavilion KL.